ARRIUS VOLUME II LEGACY - Preston Holtry

ARRIUS IS FACED WITH THE MOST FATEFUL DECISION OF HIS LIFE WHEN EMPEROR ANTONINUS PIUS PLANS TO EXTEND THE EMPIRE’S BORDER IN BRITANNIA NORTH OF HADRIAN’S WALL.

“On the contrary, Arrius, if you’re fortunate enough to see the sun rise tomorrow, it will be you who will be on the way to Eboracum ― in chains, I might add. Guards seize him by order of Tribune Quintarius. Marcus Arrius, I place you under arrest for conspiring against the empire of Rome.”

At the fort called Banna, one of 14 forts on Hadrian’s Wall, Marcus Arrius begins the slow process of turning around a dispirited and ineffective Tungrian Cohort stationed there. His efforts are made more challenging, and dangerous, by the hatred and jealousy of Matius Betto, the centurion he replaced as commander. It does not take long for Betto and Tribune Tiberius Quinterius to combine efforts to discredit Arrius.  In time, Arrius gains the respect and loyalty of the officers and legionaries at Banna with the exception of a few disgruntled officers who remain committed to Betto. His malaise caused by the brutality of the Judaean war dissipates as his relationship with Ilya deepens when she becomes pregnant with their child. However, it is Ilya who becomes the unwitting means for Quinterius and Betto to accomplish their objective when her heritage and kinship to Beldorach, High Chieftain of the Selgovae are revealed.

“ARRIUS-Legacy is a fast-paced novel set in the early days of the Roman Wall. Full of action with twists and turns it is an exciting read. It is hard to put down. The detail to the period is remarkable and it is very accurate when dealing with both the Roman Army and the tribes who lived north of the wall. The ending leaves the door wide open for the third in this very enjoyable series.”—Griff Hosker, author of the Anarchy and Dragonheart book series.

“Preston Holtry's ARRIUS Volume 2, Legacy, is a smash hit. Disillusioned with how the Roman Empire handled the war in Judaea, Arrius requested a new assignment about as far away from Rome as possible. He's taken to his new duties well, but speaking his mind continues to get him into trouble with his superiors and with the commander he replaced. The bright side to his current posting is Ilya, a Selgovae woman, and her son, Joric.”—Randy Krzak, author of The Kurdish Connection

“If you enjoyed Volume 1 of the ARRIUS series: Sacramentum, you won't be disappointed by the next installment---Legacy. The same meticulous research and storytelling will immerse you into the ancient world and have you anxiously anticipating Volume 3.”— William Francis, author of The Katie Dugan Case.

'Preston Holtry’s Legacy, the second volume of his Arrius Trilogy, is simply excellent historical fiction, marked by memorable and complex characters, strong dialogue, and impeccable research. Preston depicts expertly the period’s robust muscle, when Rome sought to maintain its hold of early Britannia.'—John Vance, author of Echoes of November and Awake the Southern Wind